LESEGO MAKHUBELA – Final Year Student – Tshwane University of Technology (Gold Merit Award)

Why did you choose a career in nursing?

I was inspired to become a nurse after witnessing the exceptional care my late friend received during her battle with leukemia. The nurses who cared for her demonstrated clinical expertise, incredible empathy, and kindness. I want to be a nurse to provide that same level of compassionate holistic care and support to others in their time of need.

What do you enjoy most about nursing?

I enjoy caring for people and sharing knowledge, as almost every aspect of nursing involves teaching. From medications, to explaining signs of myocardial infarction, or showing a primigravidae young mother how to care for her newborn, nurses share their knowledge daily. Working with a wide range of people from all walks of life is what I love the most.

What do you find the most challenging about nursing?

Nursing can be a rewarding and lucrative career. However, emotional involvement is one of my challenges. The work that I do is personal and meaningful. I become emotionally invested in my patients lives which can be a difficult burden to carry.

Do you have a personal faith conviction that determines the way you live?

My personal faith conviction is based on the word of God that says: “Greater is He that is inside of me, than he that is in the world.” I believe that if God is with me, no one can be against me. He started a good job in me, of being part of a nursing career and I wholeheartedly believe that He alone will bring it to completion.

How do you hope to make a difference in your career?

As nurses we are the first line of defense. I strongly want to make it more of a norm to advocate for my patients’ rights and needs. I am hoping to own a home that can cater for the orphans. I wish to make my dream come true and become a reality.

NICOLENE GOVENDER – 2nd Year Student – Western Cape College of Nursing (Gold Merit Award)

Why did you choose a career in nursing?

I have always had a constant longing to care for and help others in a positive way that contributes to their betterment. This greatly influenced my career choice. Nursing has given me a sense of purpose, belonging, job satisfaction and personal growth.

What do you enjoy most about nursing?

Nursing affords me the opportunity to interact with people from different walks of life and diverse cultures. I get to learn a few words or phrases of a new language, or even just about the norms of that culture. This makes it even more interesting.

What do you find the most challenging about nursing?

Under resourced and understaffed facilities makes it very challenging to provide the best patient care. Also, language barriers make it extremely difficult to communicate effectively with patients.

Do you have a personal faith conviction that determines the way you live?

I believe that “one should not do unto others, what they would not want done unto themselves” It teaches me to be more empathetic in my daily living and to manage the way I feel, speak, and act towards individuals. At the end of each day, I always make time to self-reflect. In that way I can rectify the mistakes I make along the way.

How do you hope to make a difference in your career?

Health literacy is a major area of concern in my opinion. I would like to focus on patient education that is taught through videos and picture demonstrations in various languages, as well as getting the patient to reinforce back what was taught to them. In that way patients are able to make more informed decisions regarding their health.

OMOGOLO SEJOSENGOE – Final Year Student – Pretoria University (Silver Merit Award)

Why did you choose a career in nursing?

A life-changing medical diagnoses in my family initiated and fueled my passion for nursing. I was constantly looking for ways in which I could holistically care for them and later the community. After shadowing a nurse for two weeks, I knew that I was called to be a nurse.

What do you enjoy the most about nursing?

Nurse-to-patient relationships will forever be my favourite part of nursing. There is a tremendous amount of contentment and joy that comes from providing care for a patient and assisting them in regaining their health.

What do you find the most challenging about nursing?

The most challenging aspect of nursing is not always being appreciated and respected by patients and healthcare team members. However, I have found that by demonstrating clinical competence and compassion, we are able to transform the negative notions associated with the profession.

Do you have a personal faith conviction that determines the way you live?

I am a Christian and my faith is an essential part of who and what I am. It is important that my way of life is deeply rooted in my faith.  I believe that through serving others we can truly fulfill God’s mandate and purpose for our lives. I treat every patient and individual with the utmost respect and place their needs before mine.

How do you hope to make a difference in your career?

I hope to increase access to healthcare services, especially in medically underserved communities through community engagement and collaboration with community-based healthcare workers. I also hope to increase nurses’ participation in research-related activities to ensure our voices are included in healthcare policy developments.

RADIYA MINTY – 3rd Year Student – Pretoria University (Silver Merit Award)

Why did you choose a career in nursing?

It is said that nursing is a calling and indeed, I believe that it is my calling! I was drawn to a career in nursing due to my deep-seated desire to help others and make a positive, lasting impact in patients’ lives.

What do you enjoy most about nursing?

The rewarding nature of the job, combined with the potential for ample growth and work opportunities motivated me to pursue a career in nursing. Nursing is a dynamic and evolving field that presents various challenges it is a fast-paced and ever-changing work environment. Working one-on-one and caring for patients comes with a great sense of accomplishment and satisfaction.

What do you find the most challenging about nursing?

The demanding nature of nursing, coupled with emotional stress and high workloads, can lead to burnout and stress. Over these 3 years of my nursing education, I have learnt the importance of self-care and seeking support when necessary because burnout is real!

Do you have a personal faith conviction that determines the way you live?

The Holy Quran (2:82-83) states that God will judge everyone by his or her deeds and that heaven awaits those who have lived righteously and hell those who have not. I believe in an afterlife and that my actions in this life impact my eternal destiny. This has always guided my morals and values in the way I live. I believe in always being compassionate, kind and giving– even in the face of adversity. This has allowed me to show empathy, provide support and be courageous no matter what it is I may be going through. It has also allowed me to always put my patients first. I believe that “the more you give, the more you will receive.”

How do you hope to make a difference in your career?

I hope to be a role model for aspiring nurses, nursing is more than just a job, it is what you choose to make of it! I would like to be able to pass on my experiences and knowledge to those seeking to learn. I hope to discover new and wonderful things in the art and science of this profession which I so proudly call “nursing”!

TARRYN PLAATJIES – 2nd Year Student – Stellenbosch University (Silver Merit Award)

Why did you choose a career in nursing?

Quite simply, I did not choose nursing. It was chosen for me by the Author of my life. My choice is to be obedient, and I would not have it any other way. I have always been completely fascinated by pregnancy and birth, and so it has become my heart’s desire to be a midwife. This journey is a combination of loving what I do while still learning to love what I do.

What do you enjoy the most about nursing?

I am a people-person and I know that there will never come a day in nursing, where I will not have the chance to interact with someone. It is also such an honour for me to learn from nurses who were once in my shoes and now have many years of nursing experience. Their passion and enthusiasm are truly inspiring.

What do you find the most challenging about nursing?

Sometimes I find myself so excited about being a midwife that I forget to enjoy the journey. I do not always realize how important the current content is, and how everything I learn and spend time understanding now, will be beneficial to my nursing and midwifery.

Do you have a personal faith conviction that determines the way you live?

I have heard so many times that nursing is a calling and I believe that I have been called, by Jesus Christ my Lord and Saviour, to fulfil a great part of my purpose through nursing and midwifery. I used to think that my love for pregnancy and birth was driven solely by my desire to experience it myself. I now know that this passion is not only for me, because with my studies I will help many. I see myself in the Hebrew midwives, in the story told in the first chapter of Exodus in the Bible, and I remember this scripture whenever I struggle with my studies.

How do you hope to make a difference in your career?

I dream of healthy relationships being built between pregnant women and their midwives, where these women can labour and give birth in love without fear. This is what I want to promote and encourage—a woman’s vulnerability that will be kept safe and treasured by her midwife.

MPHO NGOMANE – 3rd Years Student – Tshwane University of Technology (Silver Merit Award)

Why did you choose a career in nursing?

I am passionate about serving others and having a positive impact on those around me. It was when the pandemic occurred in 2020 that I knew that the nursing field is where I need to be. Observing nurses worldwide assume their role as frontliners became my biggest inspiration, that in the midst of such a pandemic, nurses selflessly placed their own lives on the line.

What do you enjoy the most about nursing?

Nursing challenges me in becoming a better individual. In serving others, I have learnt to be selfless and walk in their shoes. Importantly, nursing encompasses a diverse number of disciplines therefore, there is much to learn, and each field is interesting. Additionally, what I enjoy the most about nursing is that it allows me to work closely with the patient in bringing about recovery. It is pleasing to see patients recover and be with their families and loved ones.

What do you find the most challenging about nursing?

The biggest challenge we face as nurses is the lack of resources. We often feel exhausted and frustrated due to being understaffed and lacking the necessary resources to give good patient care. Consequently, patient care is poor and students working in such situations don’t have much opportunity to learn from the nurses on duty.

Do you have a personal faith conviction that determines the way you live?

The qualities that are essential in an exceptional nurse are competence, compassion, commitment and courage. Having adequate knowledge and skill makes us competent to provide quality nursing care. Compassion along with patience makes one respect individual differences and be patient towards patients and colleagues. We need commitment towards the profession and the care we provide, as well as the courage to advocate for those in our care and ensure that their rights are not violated. Most importantly integrity, doing the right thing even when others do not see it makes one an exceptional nurse.

How do you hope to make a difference in your career?

I hope to influence my colleagues to be exceptional nurses, upholding the qualities that makes one an exceptional nurse, inside and outside the work environment. Also, through educating and orienting my colleagues towards the maintenance of these qualities. Nursing is an on-going learning process; therefore, we never stop learning. Most importantly it is a team effort, we can all be exceptional when we work together towards serving the greater good of those in our care.

MPHO MASHIFANE – 4th Year Student – Tshwane University of Technology (Silver Merit Award)

Why did you choose a career in nursing?

I chose Nursing as a career because I understand the comforting effects and confident assurance a Nurse can have on both the patient and family. I have a passion for nursing because I want to make a difference in the lives of the sick.

What do you enjoy most about nursing?

I enjoy the differences I can make in a patient’s overall experience. Going to bed knowing I touched someone’s life uplifts my spirit. It is good to see when patients understand their disease process, and have hope that they will get well soon.

What do you find the most challenging about nursing?

It is challenging not being able to help everyone. I find it painful to see my patients not recover and losing life after being under my care, after trying so hard to help them heal. In nursing there is always a shortage of staff with increased workload and long hours.

Do you have a personal faith conviction that determines the way you live?

I do have a personal faith conviction. “All care should be based on the value and dignity of the patient as an individual with rights and my care embraces all cultures of diversity and inclusion”. Whenever I think of patients, I remember to always acknowledge their values and dignity and give good quality care based on their desires.

How do you hope to make a difference in your career?

I hope to make a difference by always encouraging my colleagues to always value and respect patients and their beliefs, and to also make sure that all healthcare settings understand how to be and become exceptional Nurses.

TALALANE MOFOKENG – 2nd Year Student – University of Johannesburg (Bronze Merit Award)

Why did you choose a career in nursing?

I believe caring is the most important value a human being could have, but it becomes even more of a blessing when it becomes your career. I will forever be grateful for all the nurses who came before me, who made it such a noble career and I’m determined to do likewise.

What do you enjoy the most about nursing?

Being able to reach and care for all kinds of people of different ethnicities and backgrounds. Seeing someone gaining hope through the care I gave them is truly a purposeful life and also having a wide range of specialties within nursing is amazing.

What do you find the most challenging about nursing?

The challenges for me are society’s perception about nurses and seeing a shortage of nurses in the hospital.

Do you have a personal faith conviction that determines the way you live?

Treat others the way I want to be treated and remind myself to be like water so that I get to adapt to any container/environment I am in.

How do you hope to make a difference in your career?

By having a mindset of research on how to do things better and getting myself involved in activities that will uphold the name of Nursing and always having a caring heart towards my patients and my fellow colleagues.

BONTLE MOFOKENG – 2nd Year Student – Western Cape College of Nursing (Bronze Merit Awards)

Why did you choose a career in nursing?

I chose nursing because it has been my passion to be able to help people holistically. Helping people has always been a calling for me.

What do you enjoy most about nursing?

What I enjoy most about nursing is working with people and seeing patients leave emotionally and physically better after seeing me.

What do you find the most challenging about nursing?

The current challenge I have in nursing is doing my practical’s and going to class while I am financially constricted.

Do you have a personal faith conviction that determines the way you live?

I am a born-again Christian by faith, and it structures my daily life. My faith has instilled humbleness, respect and unconditional love for anyone around me and also it helps as I hardly hold grudges.

How do you hope to make a difference in your career?

I hope to make a difference in the way I handle my patients. I aim to have hands that heal and ears that listen and bring about change.

SIGIDA ROLIVHUWA – 2nd Year Student – University of Venda (Bronze Merit Award)

Why did you choose a career in nursing?

I chose a career in Nursing because I love helping people and finding peace and a sense of belonging after I’ve helped a person from the bottom of my heart. In Nursing you get to hold their hand when they cannot get up, feed them when they’re helpless, and give them self-care when they cannot give it to themselves.

What do you enjoy the most about nursing?

What I enjoy in nursing is that I get to touch and make an impact in someone’s life. You get to experience the beginning of life when a baby is born and the joy of the mother.  Sadly, we also get to see the end of someone’s life, but you give them the respect they deserve. You give patients hope by just being present with them. Some people just need love and care to get better, and so you give them that.

What do you find the most challenging about nursing?

The most challenging thing I find about Nursing is that you deal with a lot of emotions and have to be present for the next person while dealing with your own problems. Also having to deal with different workers in a multi-disciplinary team, as well as the long hours of work. At the end of the day one is physically and emotionally exhausted, but I soldier on as it is my passion.

Do you have a personal faith conviction that determines the way you live?

“As a nurse, we can heal the mind, soul, heart, and body of our patients. They may forget your name, but they will never forget how you made them feel” by Maya Angelou. When nursing patients you get an opportunity to present life to a patient, your presence, hands and love heals them holistically. You get to heal the deepest roots of their problems which heals their hearts and souls too and they leave the healthcare facility fulfilled and with great joy; when they see you again they show great appreciation and wish you well with your career, this shows they felt love.

How do you hope to make a difference in your career?

It all starts with me being the best in what I do. I wish to be the nurse who can assure the sick that it is well, the nurse who can smile and be the light to those who are in their darkest moments, and the nurse who can hold the hand of the dying and ensure that they depart to the other side with dignity. I wish to be that nurse who makes a difference in people’s lives no matter how small it is.

ESTEA MARAIS – 3rd Year Student – Stellenbosch University (Bronze Merit Award)

Why did you choose a career in nursing?

The main reason why I chose a career in Nursing is because I want to bring some good into this world. The world can be a dark and lonely place for most people but being able to bring joy into a  patients’ life and love into their hearts, can take away any evil.

What do you enjoy the most about nursing?

I would say that the most enjoyable part of Nursing is knowing that you made a difference in a patient’s day- even if it is just one patient. How do you know when you have accomplished this? It is when you can see the relief on a patient’s face when someone finally helps them or listens to them.

What do you find the most challenging about nursing?

Nurses are so lazy! Nurses are so cold and rude! These statements are often made by the public and I find this very challenging as they are difficult not to listen to. I ask myself the question, how can I show patients that there are nurses who deeply care and want to help. People can be taught skills but it is not always easy to change people’s point of view. This is what I hope to do.

Do you have a personal faith conviction that determines the way you live?

I believe that Jesus died on the cross for our sins, that He rose again, and that Holy spirit was given to us to live in us and showcase Jesus through us. I trust that the love of God can heal all wounds, whether it be emotional or physical. I believe that nothing I do or accomplish is done through my own strength, but that God renews my strength every morning. I live not for myself, but to honour Him who gracefully loves and peacefully guides me.

How do you hope to make a difference in your career?

Working in the hospital and clinic has given me insight into how I can go about positively influencing the people around me. I realised that I would follow the actions of a nurse if that nurse lead by example. There is nothing more hypocritical than saying one thing but doing another. Therefore, I hope to influence my colleagues to be exceptional nurses by first becoming one myself.

HELEN COLLINGWOOD – 2nd Year Student – University of the Free State (Bronze Merit Award)

Why did you choose a career in nursing?

I have always been fascinated by people who are heroic, selfless, and compassionate – Nursing encompassed this for me. My interest in medicine also made nursing a natural choice for me. Nothing in life that is worth doing comes easy and that is how I would describe nursing. As President Kennedy said, “We choose to do these things not because they are easy, but because they are hard”.

What do you enjoy the most about nursing?

The thing I enjoy most about nursing is the interaction I have with my patients and the difference that I can make in their lives. Nursing has pushed me to grow as a person and acquire skills in dealing with all sorts of people from different backgrounds. It forces me not to be conscience of myself but to focus on them.

What do you find the most challenging about nursing?

I have had trouble engaging with patients who speak different languages. My mother tongue is English, and I only feel comfortable speaking that language and yet I find, myself wishing I had the ability to comfort my patients in their home language.

Do you have a personal faith conviction that determines the way you live?

I was raised in the Catholic faith and for us we do not look for an “occupation”. We are to follow a calling or a vocation. From my childhood I was aware that being a nurse was the right choice for me.  I am of course always alive to what Jesus said in Matthew 25: 35 (what you do for the least of me you do for me) – lying in a hospital bed is a great equalizer, the great and the lowly, the rich or the poor are all the same. As a nurse my task is to recognize their humanity and treat them in such a way as to uphold their dignity with love.

How do you hope to make a difference in your career?

In my home the value of honesty was instilled. To me it is now subsequently the greatest value I see in humans closely linked to compassion. One needs to be honest and have the courage to advocate for their patients. I think the only way to influence anyone is to lead by example. I need to show my peers that being an honest, competent, committed, compassionate and courageous nurse not only greatly benefits and changes your patients’ lives but will fulfil your own.

MILANDIE VAN DER WESTHUIZEN – 2nd Year Student – University of the Free State (Bronze Merit Award)

Why did you choose a career in nursing?

I chose nursing because it fits who I am as a person perfectly combining my love for learning, problem solving and showing compassion towards others.

What do you enjoy the most about nursing?

I mostly enjoy that I get to make a difference in someone’s life giving them hope through simply showing them love when they may be in their most vulnerable state.

What do you find the most challenging about nursing?

My biggest challenge in nursing is having to work with constant resource shortages and witnessing the lack of care some healthcare providers show towards patients.

Do you have a personal faith conviction that determines the way you live?

I am a born again Christian and believe that Jesus Christ died on a cross for my sins. I have been called to be a light in this dark world and strive to follow the example that Jesus showed me by living my life showing love and compassion towards others as Jesus did for me.

How do you hope to make a difference in your career?

I strongly believe that a person’s value should not be determined by money. I therefore strive to treat all my patients with equal love and quality care. I also try to leave every facility I work at better than I found it and hope to inspire other nurses to do the same.